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Dancing for Degas
In the City of Lights, at the dawn of a new age, begins an unforgettable story of great love, great art—and the most painful choices of the heart.
With this fresh and vibrantly imagined portrait of the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas, readers are transported through the eyes of a young Parisian ballerina to an era of light and movement. An ambitious and enterprising farm girl, Alexandrie joins the prestigious Paris Opera ballet with hopes of securing not only her place in society but her family’s financial future. Her plan is soon derailed, however, when she falls in love with the enigmatic artist whose paintings of the offstage lives of the ballerinas scandalized society and revolutionized the art world. As Alexandrie is drawn deeper into Degas’s art and Paris’s secrets, will she risk everything for her dreams of love and of becoming the ballet’s star dancer?
With this fresh and vibrantly imagined portrait of the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas, readers are transported through the eyes of a young Parisian ballerina to an era of light and movement. An ambitious and enterprising farm girl, Alexandrie joins the prestigious Paris Opera ballet with hopes of securing not only her place in society but her family’s financial future. Her plan is soon derailed, however, when she falls in love with the enigmatic artist whose paintings of the offstage lives of the ballerinas scandalized society and revolutionized the art world. As Alexandrie is drawn deeper into Degas’s art and Paris’s secrets, will she risk everything for her dreams of love and of becoming the ballet’s star dancer?
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
44 people are currently reading
4585 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Wagner
3 books47 followersKathryn Wagner currently resides in Washington, D.C. Dancing for Degas is her first novel. Foreign publications for Dancing for Degas include Spain, Holland, Poland, and Romania. She holds a B.A. in journalism with a minor in art and has worked as a staff writer and columnist for several newspapers in North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Virginia. She is currently at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
February 20, 2010
This is the kind of book that was made for negative star ratings, which unfortunately are not an option. I would assign this one a minus 2 stars.
This book is so bad that I just want it out of my life! I got as far as page 189, then had it sitting around for weeks. I kept telling myself I should finish it and write a review because it was a First Reads win. Dumb on my part, since I now know for certain that reviewing First Reads books has no bearing on future wins.
The first 106 pages of the book seem pretty promising, but don't be fooled into wasting your time. On page 107, the author suddenly switches verb tense and writing style FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON. From there on out, the book is purely awful. It's a very repetitive account of catty young Paris ballerinas stabbing each other in the back and competing for the attentions of wealthy men who are looking for ballerinas to take as "mistresses." Even the main character's association with Degas is bland and repetitive. This story had great possibility as historical fiction, but it's really just bad chick lit set in the 19th century.
I realize this is an uncorrected proof, so I'll be fair and not quote the numerous instances where the author changes verb tense WITHIN THE SAME SENTENCE. I'm convinced, however, that it's shoddy writing and not just proofreading errors.
This book is so bad that I just want it out of my life! I got as far as page 189, then had it sitting around for weeks. I kept telling myself I should finish it and write a review because it was a First Reads win. Dumb on my part, since I now know for certain that reviewing First Reads books has no bearing on future wins.
The first 106 pages of the book seem pretty promising, but don't be fooled into wasting your time. On page 107, the author suddenly switches verb tense and writing style FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON. From there on out, the book is purely awful. It's a very repetitive account of catty young Paris ballerinas stabbing each other in the back and competing for the attentions of wealthy men who are looking for ballerinas to take as "mistresses." Even the main character's association with Degas is bland and repetitive. This story had great possibility as historical fiction, but it's really just bad chick lit set in the 19th century.
I realize this is an uncorrected proof, so I'll be fair and not quote the numerous instances where the author changes verb tense WITHIN THE SAME SENTENCE. I'm convinced, however, that it's shoddy writing and not just proofreading errors.
March 24, 2013
Liked this book because I like historical fiction about art, artists, dance, and dancers. It was a good story, not perfect by any means, but one that I looked forward to picking up and continuing. Would recommend to readers who enjoy Paris, the ballet, and/or Degas as a part of a novel. Also makes me want to review Degas' art.
April 23, 2010
Not a lot here for discriminating readers. The first parts of the plot are predictable, and the end abrupt and not well connected to preceding events. Most of the characters are one-dimensional, and there is little emotional nuance to plumb. As historical fiction, the book lacks a really distinctive sense of nineteenth-century Paris.
Disappointing, as the situation and scenes of the action have potential. Unfortunately, this book is a great example of the "telling vs. showing" that writing teachers warn against. And like another reviewer, I didn't know why the author shifted tenses mid-book.
In the publisher's discussion with author at back of book, Wagner says her upcoming work is "lighter." I find Dancing for Degas light...not because of the topic matter, which had potential for meatiness, but because the reader is told everything -- mostly in amateur-quality prose (e.g., "my heart thumped with excitement") -- and left with nothing to ponder or chew on. (Note: I am not a novelist because my own prose would reach about this level...I know my limitations!)
A caveat: I did end up caring about Alexandrie, the main character, and wish this author well in further developing her skills.
Disappointing, as the situation and scenes of the action have potential. Unfortunately, this book is a great example of the "telling vs. showing" that writing teachers warn against. And like another reviewer, I didn't know why the author shifted tenses mid-book.
In the publisher's discussion with author at back of book, Wagner says her upcoming work is "lighter." I find Dancing for Degas light...not because of the topic matter, which had potential for meatiness, but because the reader is told everything -- mostly in amateur-quality prose (e.g., "my heart thumped with excitement") -- and left with nothing to ponder or chew on. (Note: I am not a novelist because my own prose would reach about this level...I know my limitations!)
A caveat: I did end up caring about Alexandrie, the main character, and wish this author well in further developing her skills.
May 1, 2010
Being an artist predispositions me to read books about artists. Alas, I have found there are GREAT books, good books and no-so-good novels that re-create the lives of our master painters. "Dancing for Degas: A Novel" is a GREAT book and Wagner is a darn good writer and storyteller.
The Impressionists, visual art, dance, Paris, politics, and women's history play prominent roles in this novel, which was obviously well researched. Of course, liberties were taken. After all, this is a novel of historical fiction and fiction allows the author to tinker. When the author of historical fiction writes well, the reader, in my opinion, does not mind tinkering. She does not say "Oh, but that is not fact because she is too caught up in the story." Such was the case with me.
if you like the sounds of reading about a determined protagonist and a driven antagonist on a stage lit by the fires of socioeconomic and political change and strife, if art and artists intrigue you, if you like to read about the BS our female antecedents endured, pick up this book and dance with a superb writer/storyteller.
The Impressionists, visual art, dance, Paris, politics, and women's history play prominent roles in this novel, which was obviously well researched. Of course, liberties were taken. After all, this is a novel of historical fiction and fiction allows the author to tinker. When the author of historical fiction writes well, the reader, in my opinion, does not mind tinkering. She does not say "Oh, but that is not fact because she is too caught up in the story." Such was the case with me.
if you like the sounds of reading about a determined protagonist and a driven antagonist on a stage lit by the fires of socioeconomic and political change and strife, if art and artists intrigue you, if you like to read about the BS our female antecedents endured, pick up this book and dance with a superb writer/storyteller.
February 24, 2013
Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner
Genre: Historical fiction, Belle ��poque
Rating: ������������
It is the Belle ��poque ("beautiful era") in France, a period in French history occurring between 1871 and the beginning of WWI, a time of optimism and when literature, music, theater and the visual arts flourished. Alexandrie, an ambitious and talented ifarm girl from Southern France, has auditioned and been accepted as a ballerina into the Paris Opera Ballet. A student of dance from early childhood, working for her classes, she has been driven by a dream to establish herself as a member of society and the financial future for her family. However, her dream is not without its darker side. Even without injury, a ballerina's career can be short-lived. To secure their future, many girls hope for a donation to be made to the ballet to become a mistress to one of the many French businessmen. If this does not occur, the only avenue to financial security is to become a courtesan when the girl turns 25 years old. However, both can be avoided if the woman either marries or becomes the ballet's star dancer. Alexandrie is hoping for both. She has fallen in love with Degas, the French Impressionistic artist, who uses her as a model for many of his famous works. As she works hard to become the prima ballerina, she hopes that Degas will take her as a wife. Degas, Turhowever, appears reluctant to have her in no other capacity than as a muse.
The author describes well the seamier side of the ballet during this period of French history. Although the setting of late 19th century Paris was not well developed, I thought she did do a good job in describing the plight of the young ballerinas. Additionally, the interaction between Degas and Alexandrie motivated me to view with a new eye some of the more famous of Degas' works, especially those of the Opera Ballet.
Genre: Historical fiction, Belle ��poque
Rating: ������������
It is the Belle ��poque ("beautiful era") in France, a period in French history occurring between 1871 and the beginning of WWI, a time of optimism and when literature, music, theater and the visual arts flourished. Alexandrie, an ambitious and talented ifarm girl from Southern France, has auditioned and been accepted as a ballerina into the Paris Opera Ballet. A student of dance from early childhood, working for her classes, she has been driven by a dream to establish herself as a member of society and the financial future for her family. However, her dream is not without its darker side. Even without injury, a ballerina's career can be short-lived. To secure their future, many girls hope for a donation to be made to the ballet to become a mistress to one of the many French businessmen. If this does not occur, the only avenue to financial security is to become a courtesan when the girl turns 25 years old. However, both can be avoided if the woman either marries or becomes the ballet's star dancer. Alexandrie is hoping for both. She has fallen in love with Degas, the French Impressionistic artist, who uses her as a model for many of his famous works. As she works hard to become the prima ballerina, she hopes that Degas will take her as a wife. Degas, Turhowever, appears reluctant to have her in no other capacity than as a muse.
The author describes well the seamier side of the ballet during this period of French history. Although the setting of late 19th century Paris was not well developed, I thought she did do a good job in describing the plight of the young ballerinas. Additionally, the interaction between Degas and Alexandrie motivated me to view with a new eye some of the more famous of Degas' works, especially those of the Opera Ballet.
February 10, 2010
From what I have personally seen, this book is current in the way the dancers treat each other. From the outside looking in, you have no idea how competitive those woman are. All the public sees is the grace and poise radiated from the stage. I found it illuminating what is revealed about the life of dancers off the stage in Paris during this particular time period. I would hope ballet companies no loger expect woman dancers to prostitute themselves for contributions.
Forget the love story. It's weak at best. The interesting part of this book lies within the history the dancers' and their way of life.
Forget the love story. It's weak at best. The interesting part of this book lies within the history the dancers' and their way of life.
January 16, 2010
I found this book to be utterly enthralling. Sounds dramatic, I know, but I just couldn't put it down. The story captivates to such a extent that the outside world recedes. I was reading it on the train during my morning commute and was so engrossed that I didn't realize my train had been off-loaded due to mechanical problems, a fellow passenger had to tap me on the shoulder and tell me to exit the train.
The story is set in the late 1800s in France. The main character is a young woman named Alexandrie, a poor girl from a small remote village who shows promise in dance and ultimately is selected for the Paris Opera Ballet. As her career as a ballerina unfolds, Alexandrie learns much about the underworld of the ballet and the rich men who frequent it. She also feels enormous pressure from her family, who counts on her for support, to make certain choices about her career. Alexandrie, determined to forge her own path and make her own choices, quickly becomes acquainted with the artist Edgar Degas, who frequents the ballet rehearsals to sketch the ballerinas for his paintings. Alexandrie ultimately becomes his favorite model and, in spending so much time with him, falls in love. She finds, however, that pursuit of her personal dreams is not as simple as falling in love, even if that love is returned.
I have read numerous historical fiction works about famous artists and what inspires them (such as Girl With a Pearl Earring) and have enjoyed them. What sets this book apart is that it goes beyond merely what inspires the artist and addresses deeper issues of social class, the oppression of women, societal expectations and the like. All of this is told through Alexandrie's perspective, a woman of extraordinary strength, determination and independence (even if peppered with some measure of naivete). Adding to the depth of this book is a wonderfully vivid depiction of Paris during that time period. Although I found the ending to be a bit abrupt, the novel overall was superb and one of the best books I've read in quite some time.
The story is set in the late 1800s in France. The main character is a young woman named Alexandrie, a poor girl from a small remote village who shows promise in dance and ultimately is selected for the Paris Opera Ballet. As her career as a ballerina unfolds, Alexandrie learns much about the underworld of the ballet and the rich men who frequent it. She also feels enormous pressure from her family, who counts on her for support, to make certain choices about her career. Alexandrie, determined to forge her own path and make her own choices, quickly becomes acquainted with the artist Edgar Degas, who frequents the ballet rehearsals to sketch the ballerinas for his paintings. Alexandrie ultimately becomes his favorite model and, in spending so much time with him, falls in love. She finds, however, that pursuit of her personal dreams is not as simple as falling in love, even if that love is returned.
I have read numerous historical fiction works about famous artists and what inspires them (such as Girl With a Pearl Earring) and have enjoyed them. What sets this book apart is that it goes beyond merely what inspires the artist and addresses deeper issues of social class, the oppression of women, societal expectations and the like. All of this is told through Alexandrie's perspective, a woman of extraordinary strength, determination and independence (even if peppered with some measure of naivete). Adding to the depth of this book is a wonderfully vivid depiction of Paris during that time period. Although I found the ending to be a bit abrupt, the novel overall was superb and one of the best books I've read in quite some time.
July 5, 2018
This book wants to be Memoirs of a Geisha meets Girl With a Pearl Earring. It is neither. It is, in fact, a very poorly-written, crashingly boring bastion of eye-rolling.
I started off with excitement--a book about Edgar Degas' ballerinas! In 1860s Paris! At the Paris Opera Ballet! YES!
That excitement turned to confusion as our protagonist Alexandrie, who for no reason at all switches from a serviceable past tense to a god-awful present tense on page 105, quotes from Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death." Why is a French country girl reading an English poet? More importantly, HOW IS SHE DOING IT BEFORE DICKINSON IS EVEN PUBLISHED? That's right, folks--our heroine is bleepin' prescient. In the 1860s, she knows a poem not published until 1890. With that in mind, I flipped back a few pages where Alexandrie quoted from The Pickwick Papers. Not translated into a French edition until 1887. That took me five minutes on Google.
Dear Lord.
The book has no focus on historical events. There's no lush, immersive description. Metaphors are used randomly. No mention of Degas's works (that were not inspired by his super-beautiful muse Alexandrie!). No passion for ballet. Terrible use of present tense. Painful dialogue.
Let’s just look at some of the more obnoxious passages.
About the book's version of Hatsumomo, current ballet etoile Cornelie:
From the tiny, jealous mind of our protagonist Alexandrie, Ladies and Gentlemen. And no, I didn't bunch all the text together. One of the worst things in this book is that lines of dialogue from different characters are packed together in the SAME PARAGRAPH.
This book reads as bad fanfiction (in that it has nothing to the plot but romance, giggles from best friend, catty jealousy towards everything female, everyone male admiring/wanting our heroine), but there is no sex. No eroticism. None at all. Just unabashed slut-shaming, as you saw above...Poor Cornelie:
Don’t get me started on the ballet aspect. Really, don’t. But as one other reviewer already said, if I was the Paris Opera Ballet, I’d think about suing. The offensive notion that back in the day, by age 25, dancers HAD TO become literal prostitutes pimped out by the Ballet Master or be kicked out of the company…
One last thing. If Alexandrie is so devoted to dance, why don’t we hear about the roles she’s dancing? Her struggles? Her FEET? Anything about the fascinating world of the mid-nineteenth century ballet? I’m supposed to believe she’s this great, dedicated ballerina who loves dance when she doesn’t even take the reader into why? She doesn’t tell the plot of ANY ballets, or how she relates emotionally to the characters she’s portraying.
Have we mentioned the novel’s third act nonsense about the Paris Opera Ballet sanctioning a public competition between three sujets (soloist dancers) for the role of etoile ? Complete with press interviews, guest-starring at a populist can-can, and speeches that make Miss America seem ten times smarter? This is not how ballets work. Not at all. Never.
This book is supposedly historical fiction. But what type of fiction? Bad fanfiction, slightly AU 1860-'70s Paris, starring one of the worst Mary-Sues I’ve ever read.
I started off with excitement--a book about Edgar Degas' ballerinas! In 1860s Paris! At the Paris Opera Ballet! YES!
That excitement turned to confusion as our protagonist Alexandrie, who for no reason at all switches from a serviceable past tense to a god-awful present tense on page 105, quotes from Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death." Why is a French country girl reading an English poet? More importantly, HOW IS SHE DOING IT BEFORE DICKINSON IS EVEN PUBLISHED? That's right, folks--our heroine is bleepin' prescient. In the 1860s, she knows a poem not published until 1890. With that in mind, I flipped back a few pages where Alexandrie quoted from The Pickwick Papers. Not translated into a French edition until 1887. That took me five minutes on Google.
Dear Lord.
The book has no focus on historical events. There's no lush, immersive description. Metaphors are used randomly. No mention of Degas's works (that were not inspired by his super-beautiful muse Alexandrie!). No passion for ballet. Terrible use of present tense. Painful dialogue.
Let’s just look at some of the more obnoxious passages.
About the book's version of Hatsumomo, current ballet etoile Cornelie:
"Ah, but she is nearly half your age," he says pointedly, then smiles kindly at me and leaves the room. I step behind the dressing doors and change, happy that he defended me and insulted her increasing age. "You sound like an idiot," I say to her as I emerge in my costume. I look over at her in revulsion, bent over putting on her skirt, making her rolls of fat more pronounced. Yet this horse of a woman is the one that Edgar chose to leave the Green Room with."
From the tiny, jealous mind of our protagonist Alexandrie, Ladies and Gentlemen. And no, I didn't bunch all the text together. One of the worst things in this book is that lines of dialogue from different characters are packed together in the SAME PARAGRAPH.
This book reads as bad fanfiction (in that it has nothing to the plot but romance, giggles from best friend, catty jealousy towards everything female, everyone male admiring/wanting our heroine), but there is no sex. No eroticism. None at all. Just unabashed slut-shaming, as you saw above...Poor Cornelie:
"Without addressing anyone further, Edgar steers me away from the group. “You were right about her," he whispers in my ear and I breathe a silent sigh of relief. "The night was a ploy and I wasn't even able to make the contacts I had hoped to with her around. Her behavior proved to be quite embarrassing and, believe me, I find her less humorous and more annoying because of it." I nod my head, taking a moment to form the proper answer. I want to jump up and down and yell, “Of course I was right--why did it take this long for you to see it? Anyone who spends one minute with her can tell she's nothing but a brash whore."
Don’t get me started on the ballet aspect. Really, don’t. But as one other reviewer already said, if I was the Paris Opera Ballet, I’d think about suing. The offensive notion that back in the day, by age 25, dancers HAD TO become literal prostitutes pimped out by the Ballet Master or be kicked out of the company…
One last thing. If Alexandrie is so devoted to dance, why don’t we hear about the roles she’s dancing? Her struggles? Her FEET? Anything about the fascinating world of the mid-nineteenth century ballet? I’m supposed to believe she’s this great, dedicated ballerina who loves dance when she doesn’t even take the reader into why? She doesn’t tell the plot of ANY ballets, or how she relates emotionally to the characters she’s portraying.
Have we mentioned the novel’s third act nonsense about the Paris Opera Ballet sanctioning a public competition between three sujets (soloist dancers) for the role of etoile ? Complete with press interviews, guest-starring at a populist can-can, and speeches that make Miss America seem ten times smarter? This is not how ballets work. Not at all. Never.
This book is supposedly historical fiction. But what type of fiction? Bad fanfiction, slightly AU 1860-'70s Paris, starring one of the worst Mary-Sues I’ve ever read.
November 19, 2013
I wish there were pictures whenever Degas' sketches or pastels were mentioned.
I was quite apprehensive reading this book--I packed it for a trip and it had to kill time on a 4 hour flight--and my friends' averaged reviews were quite dismal. I thought it was rather good, perhaps a 3.25. Unlike The Luncheon Of The Boating Party this wasn't about a single painting/pastel/sketch but just Degas' work sketching at the ballet during the 1860s. The story of a poor ballerina could have stood on its own except the ending would have been different. This was more a historical fiction of French ballerinas than about Degas.
I'll have to take Wagner's word that the "post-performances" were correct. In the afterword she writes that it was the *mothers* who weed out the gentlemen callers which I would imagine would make for even more drama than the Ballet Master.
June 13, 2016
Terrible. I love this period in history and love historical fiction. This, however, was a poorly written book with a mind-numbing narrator. And to top it off, in the "interview with the author" at the end the author admitted to completely fabricating the shady practices of the Paris Opera Ballet which was pretty much the entire conflict of the story! The setting of historical fiction is NOT meant to be an alternate universe. I would think the Paris Opera Ballet would want to legally pursue this matter except that then it would draw more attention to this book which will indubitably fade into obsolescence rather quickly.
February 28, 2010
I'm so excited that I won this book through First Reads! It is a wonderful debut novel on par with Girl With a Pearl Earring and The Birth of Venus as far as the plot is concerned. I have a background in art and I thought that Wagner did a good job of capturing the essence of an artist in Degas. While there are romantic elements to the story, it is much more of a coming-of-age novel that also encompasses French/Parisian society during the later 1800's and the role of women in it. The ballet is of course also a prominent fixture and it comes to life. I couldn't help but think of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera, which is one of my favorite books, in reading this since they are set during approximately the same time in Paris and both address up-and-coming young women performers. Although there are several thought-provoking quotes in Dancing for Degas about the roles of young women and the choices they face, I felt that the writing could have been a bit more in-depth. That being said, I will definitely be reading the next book by Wagner.
P.S. At one point a Charles Frederick Worth dress makes an appearance. I suggest Googling him to have a look at his work. His dresses were AMAZING.
P.S. At one point a Charles Frederick Worth dress makes an appearance. I suggest Googling him to have a look at his work. His dresses were AMAZING.
February 16, 2010
I was intrigued when I won this as a First Reads, and delved into it as both a lover of historical fiction as well as someone with an educational background in art history. While I do think it had promise, it ultimately was just okay for me.
Of course it should be noted that I did receive an ARC - an uncorrected copy which still required editing. I do hope that an editor thoroughly goes through the book to clean up extraneous storylines and improve the writing. At times I found the prose a bit sophomoric. The perspective is first-person present-tense, which I found to be a little distracting. I do wish that Wagner would have focused on the Franco-Prussian War. It is touched on, but only very briefly, and I think this could have been a really interesting storyline and a good distraction from the overly romance-y aspects of the story.
The second half was the better part of the book. It was definitely quicker and more interesting, and I found myself flying through the pages. I would recommend this more for fans of historical romances - as a historical fiction lover I was left just a little disappointed.
Of course it should be noted that I did receive an ARC - an uncorrected copy which still required editing. I do hope that an editor thoroughly goes through the book to clean up extraneous storylines and improve the writing. At times I found the prose a bit sophomoric. The perspective is first-person present-tense, which I found to be a little distracting. I do wish that Wagner would have focused on the Franco-Prussian War. It is touched on, but only very briefly, and I think this could have been a really interesting storyline and a good distraction from the overly romance-y aspects of the story.
The second half was the better part of the book. It was definitely quicker and more interesting, and I found myself flying through the pages. I would recommend this more for fans of historical romances - as a historical fiction lover I was left just a little disappointed.
September 3, 2013
Tema cartii e foarte bine aleasa, urmand exemplul lui Tracy Chevalier, cel mai probabil scriitoarea mea preferata, de a recrea o poveste si o atmosfera din lumea artei. In schimb insa, Kathryn nu reuseste sa creeze un personaj complet, ii pune in carca multe drame si nelinisti, dar nu ii explica complexitatea cat sa para credibil. In multe pasaje expediaza mult prea repede si necizelat o drama, stilul de scriitura nu ma convinge deloc si nu gaseste cuvintele adecvate pentru a se exprima.
Cartea mi-a dat impresia unei mari teme care a cazut in maini nepotrivite, fiind tratata cu mai putin decat merita.
Cartea mi-a dat impresia unei mari teme care a cazut in maini nepotrivite, fiind tratata cu mai putin decat merita.
August 30, 2010
Dancing for Degas tells the story of Alexandrie, a young girl who becomes a ballet dancer. She goes to Paris to join the Paris Opera House where she becomes a sort of muse for Edgar Degas, Impressionist painter of all things ballerina. Subsequently, she falls in love with Degas.
I really liked the character of Alexandrie. The book covers several years of her life and it was very interesting to watch her come into her own.
I really liked the character of Alexandrie. The book covers several years of her life and it was very interesting to watch her come into her own.
June 1, 2010
I picked this up at the library thinking it would be a fun guilty read, but by the last page I was simply annoyed with it: the plot, the characters, the writing, the ending, the hints at sex, the touch of violence and war... It is essentially Memoirs of a Geisha, set in Paris.
June 28, 2010
I found myself blushing reading this. Ashamed of the publishing industry for the writing and editing of this book.
October 14, 2010
Ok honestly I only read about 30 pages of this but I couldn't get any further. The idea seemed ok but the writing was so awful I couldn't stand going any further.
September 13, 2020
3.5 stars! This is the book that’s been on my to-read shelf the longest (10 years?!), and I am glad I finally treated my dance-loving and Francophile reading taste!
This is a really interesting take on life in the ballet, and it’s not the fantasy we may think, especially in the past. There’s an abrupt 11th hour plot shift, but if you enjoy dancing and French history, this was a fun read.
This is a really interesting take on life in the ballet, and it’s not the fantasy we may think, especially in the past. There’s an abrupt 11th hour plot shift, but if you enjoy dancing and French history, this was a fun read.
October 10, 2018
The author did great research on the topic, I enjoyed the history lesson it provided. The character development could have been done better; I didn't feel the emotions that the protagonist was going through. I thought this book was going to be about the inspiration behind Edgar Degas' art and possibly a bit of romance, but it was much more. As a professional dancer, this book stood out to me on the shelf. It outlines the harsh reality of ballerinas in the 19th century, and the degrading acts they were forced into to advance their careers. Unfortunately, this is still relevant in todays dance world and I was able to connect with the main character in her dedication in staying true to herself and her morals. Overall, it was a great book and would definitely recommend!
January 20, 2019
This book was not very well written, but the topics of Degas and ballet are interesting to me, so I enjoyed reading it.
April 21, 2022
I wanted to like this book but I couldn't suspend belief enough to accept that a teenage girl can do so well that after only a short time she wins a place at the prestigious Paris Ballet School.
March 26, 2017
From March to Dancing for Degas by way of a minor figure in a major work: the father in Little Women, and the ballerina in Degas' paintings.
May 26, 2020
Foarte slabuta cartea asta, la fel ca si cea despre Klimt.
Titlul nu minte, este vorba despre o danasatoare de balet care devine arhetipul tutror balerinelor pictate de Degas. Dar povestea e slaba, nu tine, personajele nu cuceresc , iar dialogurile sunt false. Despre Degas si tablourile lui aflam putin, despre lumea dansului, si mai putin.
Daca nu aveti nimic mai bun de citit, merge, dar daca vrei o lectura interesanta, atunci cauttai mai bine in alta parte.
Titlul nu minte, este vorba despre o danasatoare de balet care devine arhetipul tutror balerinelor pictate de Degas. Dar povestea e slaba, nu tine, personajele nu cuceresc , iar dialogurile sunt false. Despre Degas si tablourile lui aflam putin, despre lumea dansului, si mai putin.
Daca nu aveti nimic mai bun de citit, merge, dar daca vrei o lectura interesanta, atunci cauttai mai bine in alta parte.
January 26, 2010
One of the main problems with this book for me was that I never felt that the author connected the reader to the characters and thus their emotions felt flat. The other is that the plot becomes mired in a seemingly endless string of years where the dancers dance, the men choose mistresses, and Alexandrie models for Degas. I felt that the author could have either made more of the middle of the book to connect the reader more firmly to the story and more fully develop the characters or she could have cut whole sections from it without any adverse impact.
This is the story of Alexandrie, a girl from a small farming village in France. She is born into a poor family of pepper farmers and is a perpetual disappointment to her mother. Her mother is embittered by the hard work and subsistence existence of being a farmer's wife and takes it out on Alexandrie. Both parents have their hopes pinned on their son's prearranged marriage but when he instead marries a local girl from a destitute family, all eyes turn to Alexandrie to pull the family out of the hole.
Alexandrie begins ballet lessons as part of her mother's plan to send her to the ballet in Paris. Once established in Paris, she is to put every effort into becoming the mistress of a wealthy man so that she can support her family.
The pace of the story moves along fairly well until Alexandrie gets to Paris. After her introduction to the ballet, things become a monotonous depiction of ballet practice and chatter about which girls end up with which men. Alexandrie also discovers that after age 25, dancers must become courtesans (prostitutes) in order to stay in the ballet. Upon reading the author's notes at the end of the book, I found that there is no evidence that the Paris ballet functioned as a high-end brothel and I thought this was a significant and undeserved liberty that the author took with actual history.
Alexandrie eventually makes the acquaintance of Edgar Degas and begins to model for him. She finds him to be rude and tempermental but then inexplicably falls in love with him. At the same time, she is courted by Julian, a wealthy patron who wants her to become his mistress. She moves back and forth between the two men, stalling Julian while trying to encourage Edgar. Finally, Edgar makes it clear that there is no future with him and she accepts Julian's offer. As Julian informs her of his terms to be his mistress, she purposefully repulses him and he withdraws his offer. She is now left with no choice but to become a courtesan.
She accepts the offer of her first "customer", only to find that it is a wealthy American who has purchased several Degas paintings of her. Instead of buying her favors for a night, he proposes marriage and voila, she is saved. No explanation is offered as to why he waited so many years for her, why he jumped right to a marriage proposal without even knowing her, or why he waited until she was willing to prostitute herself before he came to her rescue.
This story has promise and the author does a nice job of incorporating Degas's history and a sense of being in Paris in the 1800's.
This is the story of Alexandrie, a girl from a small farming village in France. She is born into a poor family of pepper farmers and is a perpetual disappointment to her mother. Her mother is embittered by the hard work and subsistence existence of being a farmer's wife and takes it out on Alexandrie. Both parents have their hopes pinned on their son's prearranged marriage but when he instead marries a local girl from a destitute family, all eyes turn to Alexandrie to pull the family out of the hole.
Alexandrie begins ballet lessons as part of her mother's plan to send her to the ballet in Paris. Once established in Paris, she is to put every effort into becoming the mistress of a wealthy man so that she can support her family.
The pace of the story moves along fairly well until Alexandrie gets to Paris. After her introduction to the ballet, things become a monotonous depiction of ballet practice and chatter about which girls end up with which men. Alexandrie also discovers that after age 25, dancers must become courtesans (prostitutes) in order to stay in the ballet. Upon reading the author's notes at the end of the book, I found that there is no evidence that the Paris ballet functioned as a high-end brothel and I thought this was a significant and undeserved liberty that the author took with actual history.
Alexandrie eventually makes the acquaintance of Edgar Degas and begins to model for him. She finds him to be rude and tempermental but then inexplicably falls in love with him. At the same time, she is courted by Julian, a wealthy patron who wants her to become his mistress. She moves back and forth between the two men, stalling Julian while trying to encourage Edgar. Finally, Edgar makes it clear that there is no future with him and she accepts Julian's offer. As Julian informs her of his terms to be his mistress, she purposefully repulses him and he withdraws his offer. She is now left with no choice but to become a courtesan.
She accepts the offer of her first "customer", only to find that it is a wealthy American who has purchased several Degas paintings of her. Instead of buying her favors for a night, he proposes marriage and voila, she is saved. No explanation is offered as to why he waited so many years for her, why he jumped right to a marriage proposal without even knowing her, or why he waited until she was willing to prostitute herself before he came to her rescue.
This story has promise and the author does a nice job of incorporating Degas's history and a sense of being in Paris in the 1800's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2010
Alexandrie is a typical country girl. She helps her family with their pepper farm and doesn’t really expect much more than that. She shows an interest in taking dance lessons, which is a luxury – and that is where the conflict between her and her mother comes in. Alexandrie wants to be the best dancer she can, while her mother wants her to become a famous lorrette and send money home to her family. This tension really forms the heart of this story.
Alexandrie goes to Paris and becomes a part of the famous Paris Opera Ballet company there. The story primarily focuses on Alexandrie and the culture and daily life of the ballerinas. I expected there to be rehearsals, and practice and shows, but there was much more. I had never thought about ballerinas being anything other than dancers, but apparently they were. Men would come to the shows to meet with the dancers afterward and hope to engage in a “post performance” – if you get the meaning. Many of these women would become lorrettes or mistresses to these men. They would be able to leave the dance life and be put up and well cared for. This is what many of them hoped for – and what Alexandrie’s mother wanted for her. But, Alexandrie wanted to be respected for her passion and dance expertise.
Edgar Degas is well known for his exceptional paintings showing ballerinas in various stages of the dance and he finally comes into play in this story around page 100. I kept waiting and waiting, thinking he would never come. He and Alexandrie form a bond and she becomes the subject of many of his paintings. During these sections you get a great feel for the character of Degas – he is a little reclusive, volatile, and compassionate for his work. I really found myself enjoying Degas personality, even though he is a brasher artist than some others I have read about lately. One thing I found interesting was the inclusion of other Impressionist artists – this reminded me very much of some scenes in Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell – which I loved. It helped set the story in the art world, not just isolated.
I loved getting to learn about the dance and the experiences that these young women went through. Even though today many young girls take dance lessons, not many will become famous dancers and this story was a little like living out that dream. The one thing that I had a problem with was the ending – that seems to be where books have been losing it for me lately. The ending seemed very abrupt and the character had a change in motivation. All along Alexandrie was focusing on one thing, and then…it just went away. I really didn’t see the ending coming and it didn’t feel satisfying. Besides the ending, I really, really, enjoyed the book!
Alexandrie goes to Paris and becomes a part of the famous Paris Opera Ballet company there. The story primarily focuses on Alexandrie and the culture and daily life of the ballerinas. I expected there to be rehearsals, and practice and shows, but there was much more. I had never thought about ballerinas being anything other than dancers, but apparently they were. Men would come to the shows to meet with the dancers afterward and hope to engage in a “post performance” – if you get the meaning. Many of these women would become lorrettes or mistresses to these men. They would be able to leave the dance life and be put up and well cared for. This is what many of them hoped for – and what Alexandrie’s mother wanted for her. But, Alexandrie wanted to be respected for her passion and dance expertise.
Edgar Degas is well known for his exceptional paintings showing ballerinas in various stages of the dance and he finally comes into play in this story around page 100. I kept waiting and waiting, thinking he would never come. He and Alexandrie form a bond and she becomes the subject of many of his paintings. During these sections you get a great feel for the character of Degas – he is a little reclusive, volatile, and compassionate for his work. I really found myself enjoying Degas personality, even though he is a brasher artist than some others I have read about lately. One thing I found interesting was the inclusion of other Impressionist artists – this reminded me very much of some scenes in Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell – which I loved. It helped set the story in the art world, not just isolated.
I loved getting to learn about the dance and the experiences that these young women went through. Even though today many young girls take dance lessons, not many will become famous dancers and this story was a little like living out that dream. The one thing that I had a problem with was the ending – that seems to be where books have been losing it for me lately. The ending seemed very abrupt and the character had a change in motivation. All along Alexandrie was focusing on one thing, and then…it just went away. I really didn’t see the ending coming and it didn’t feel satisfying. Besides the ending, I really, really, enjoyed the book!
January 31, 2010
I won this book from Goodreads. I was very excited when it came as I was just about to finish my other book and wondering what to read next. I entered to win this book because I have always been drawn to Degas' work surrounding ballerinas. I took dance for years and was just sure that I, too, would become a ballerina. Alas, I'm not but the movement and elegance of the dance and of Degas' work still entices me.
I've been trying to step out of my regular genre of mystery/thriller books. Maybe I've just read to many of them and they seem to bore me now. This book has very little mystery and thrill to it, so it clearly is outside of my normal reading. I found that I enjoyed reading it, but was okay putting it down. I didn't think about it when I wasn't reading it - wanting to know what was to happen next.
I would suggest brushing up on your ballet terms before reading the book. The author uses many of the terms for the various ballet moves in the book. This may not bother some, but could be distracting for those unfamiliar with terms - is she jumping or turning? Maybe a brief glossary of terms in the back would be beneficial for readers new to the ballet.
Conversations in the book were at times difficult to follow. Rather than breaking between speakers, the author ran the conversation into one paragraph. On several occasions I had to reread the conversation to determine who was saying what.
I would suggest reading the interview with the author at the end. It helps put into light what parts of this historical fiction work are historical and which parts are fiction. I had heard of the association between ballerinas and prostitution during this time period, but never knew the details. This book may take that relationship further along than really was. Now I may have to really research this to find out the truth.
For those of you familiar with Degas' work, the author provides a tale behind the work. You often look at a painting and wonder about the story that made it come to being. In art class, I remember having to come up with some of these stories. She has done a lovely job of giving a glimpse of who that model might have been. I encourage those who want to escape into another land to read this and take a few moments to ponder about the stories behind the scenes you see everyday.
I've been trying to step out of my regular genre of mystery/thriller books. Maybe I've just read to many of them and they seem to bore me now. This book has very little mystery and thrill to it, so it clearly is outside of my normal reading. I found that I enjoyed reading it, but was okay putting it down. I didn't think about it when I wasn't reading it - wanting to know what was to happen next.
I would suggest brushing up on your ballet terms before reading the book. The author uses many of the terms for the various ballet moves in the book. This may not bother some, but could be distracting for those unfamiliar with terms - is she jumping or turning? Maybe a brief glossary of terms in the back would be beneficial for readers new to the ballet.
Conversations in the book were at times difficult to follow. Rather than breaking between speakers, the author ran the conversation into one paragraph. On several occasions I had to reread the conversation to determine who was saying what.
I would suggest reading the interview with the author at the end. It helps put into light what parts of this historical fiction work are historical and which parts are fiction. I had heard of the association between ballerinas and prostitution during this time period, but never knew the details. This book may take that relationship further along than really was. Now I may have to really research this to find out the truth.
For those of you familiar with Degas' work, the author provides a tale behind the work. You often look at a painting and wonder about the story that made it come to being. In art class, I remember having to come up with some of these stories. She has done a lovely job of giving a glimpse of who that model might have been. I encourage those who want to escape into another land to read this and take a few moments to ponder about the stories behind the scenes you see everyday.
February 17, 2013
Alexandrie is a peasant girl who, after years of ballet lessons, joins the Paris Opera Ballet, with hopes of becoming prima ballerina, as well as the mistress of a wealthy patron in order to secure the financial future of her family. She falls in love with Edgar Degas who is a frequent visitor at the ballet. She models for him for years, resulting in some of his most famous works, yet in the end has to decide what she wants her future to be.
I had expected so much more from this book, although I expect to be in the minority with my opinion. The best part for me was actually the characterization of Degas, which seems to be true to life and was done in a convincing way. Wagner added (invented) incidents that would explain some of his traits and I thought it fitted in well with the story. However, she took other liberties which I feel are way over the top and completely unnecessary, such as the frequently used line about ballerinas who turn 25 having to become prostitutes with the opera functioning as some sort of high-class brothel. Patrons of course chose mistresses from among the dancers, often arranged by the girls' mothers, however the idea the ballet master of the Paris Opera acted as a pimp and women over a certain age were forced to do this if they wished to remain at the ballet is ridiculous and didn't serve any purpose in my opinion.
Overall, I don't think Wagner captured the time and place very well, beyond mentioning the famous names of the day. The writing was a bit patchy, well-written in some parts, rather high school in others. Also, I found it baffling why the author would change the narrative from past to present tense somewhere on page 105, without any reason. My biggest problem though was the main character, who I didn't like from beginning to end, and therefore didn't care what would happen to her. I suppose she was meant to be pure, idealistic and ambitious, but to me she just came across as self-righteous and self-centered.
All told, it was ok, maybe my expectations were too high.
I had expected so much more from this book, although I expect to be in the minority with my opinion. The best part for me was actually the characterization of Degas, which seems to be true to life and was done in a convincing way. Wagner added (invented) incidents that would explain some of his traits and I thought it fitted in well with the story. However, she took other liberties which I feel are way over the top and completely unnecessary, such as the frequently used line about ballerinas who turn 25 having to become prostitutes with the opera functioning as some sort of high-class brothel. Patrons of course chose mistresses from among the dancers, often arranged by the girls' mothers, however the idea the ballet master of the Paris Opera acted as a pimp and women over a certain age were forced to do this if they wished to remain at the ballet is ridiculous and didn't serve any purpose in my opinion.
Overall, I don't think Wagner captured the time and place very well, beyond mentioning the famous names of the day. The writing was a bit patchy, well-written in some parts, rather high school in others. Also, I found it baffling why the author would change the narrative from past to present tense somewhere on page 105, without any reason. My biggest problem though was the main character, who I didn't like from beginning to end, and therefore didn't care what would happen to her. I suppose she was meant to be pure, idealistic and ambitious, but to me she just came across as self-righteous and self-centered.
All told, it was ok, maybe my expectations were too high.
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January 21, 2014Baletul este o modalitate de expresie a unei stări ce, la suprafaţă, nu poate însemna decât graţie, sensibilitate, candoare – feminitatea întruchipată. Ce se ascunde însă în spatele costumelor diafane şi a zâmbetelor îngereşti nu are, de multe ori, nimic de-a face cu aparenţa sclipitoare şi desăvârşită a dansatoarelor care fac ca dansul lor să pară ceva înnăscut, ceva contopit cu fiinţa lor şi care, tocmai datorită acestei contopiri, pare ceva lipsit de dificultăţi şi de efort. Nimic mai fals de atât – pe lângă orele chinuitoare de repetiţii, balerinele duceau, nu cu atât de mult timp în urmă, o viaţă extrem de presantă, statutul lor fiind, de fapt, cel al unor curtezane (în cel mai bun caz). Kathryn Wagner recrează, în Dansatoarea lui Degas, atmosfera Belle Époque a Parisului „tuturor posibilităţilor”, surprinzând un tablou despre care ne formăm adesea o imagine idealizată – lumea balerinele care aveau privilegiul de a dansa pe scena Operei din Paris şi pe care toată lumea le invidia sau le râvnea.
Pornind de la o serie de lucrări ale lui Degas care sunt studii pe dansul balerinelor şi pe stilul lor de viaţă, în Parisul sfârşitului de secol XIX, Kathryn Wagner, scriitoare americană aflată la primul ei roman, îşi imaginează care a fost povestea din spatele acelor tablouri. Nealterând faptele cunoscute despre Degas, Kathryn Wagner păstrează ficţionalul în cadrul verosimilului: nu-l idealizează pe Degas şi nici nu-i creează un happy-end. (cronică: http://bookaholic.ro/balerinele-curte...)
Pornind de la o serie de lucrări ale lui Degas care sunt studii pe dansul balerinelor şi pe stilul lor de viaţă, în Parisul sfârşitului de secol XIX, Kathryn Wagner, scriitoare americană aflată la primul ei roman, îşi imaginează care a fost povestea din spatele acelor tablouri. Nealterând faptele cunoscute despre Degas, Kathryn Wagner păstrează ficţionalul în cadrul verosimilului: nu-l idealizează pe Degas şi nici nu-i creează un happy-end. (cronică: http://bookaholic.ro/balerinele-curte...)
September 30, 2011
Have you ever had a character or a story resonate so deeply with your own life that you feel as if this was you in another life? That's what this book was for me. Alexandrie is a young girl who dreams of escaping her boring life, not to mention her family, in small town France. Her mother enrolls her in ballet lessons and Alexandrie finds the one thing in life for which she will always feel passion. As she dances her way up the social ladder to the Opera Ballet in Paris, she must learn some hard truths. She will discover that even in the most beautiful experiences lies a dark underbelly, one which could ultimately ruin her chances of becoming the lead ballerina. Along the way, she meets the famous, yet tortured (aren't they all?) artist Edgar Degas and agrees to model for him. Of course, she falls in love. But of course, he can't commit. Men are really not all that different now from a centry ago. It is her ambitious climb to the top, her refusal to settle and her inability to stop loving a man who can't love her back that makes me feel as kindred spirits. It's haunting to read a story and know exactly how it will end for her because you have lived it already. Definitely a good read that I was slow to pick up but eager to finish once I had. And a little more insight into the history of France and art never hurts :)
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